PDP Leaders Disagree on Campaign Funds in Ekiti

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have argued with the campaign team of their governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, over how to manage campaign funds.

The party leaders have asked Oluyede to publicly share how much he spent during the election. They also defended his running mate, Deji Ogunsakin, against claims of mishandling funds.

In a statement on Saturday, the PDP Chairman in Ado Local Government Area, Femi Odeyemi, and Secretary, Makanjuola Temitope, shared this after a meeting in Ado-Ekiti. They called the allegations against Ogunsakin as unclear and harmful.

The statement pushed back against claims made by a group called Ado-Ekiti PDP Stakeholders. This group wants an account of money spent on party agents, canvassers, logistics, and mobilization in wards.

To clarify the money spent for the Ado-Ekiti council rally, the PDP leaders said that Oluyede gave N6 million, Ogunsakin contributed N3 million, Monica Fajuyi donated N500,000, and Mrs Lanre Fajuyi brought 15 bags of rice.

The leaders mentioned that Ogunsakin personally funded campaign efforts in Ado-Ekiti to gather voters during the election period.

“If Dr Oluyede disputes these figures or has a different account of the funds released, we challenge him to state his own figures publicly and explain precisely what he believes was not accounted for,” the statement said.

The PDP leaders also noted that Ogunsakin supported Oluyede’s campaign out of goodwill, despite some party members having doubts at first. They warned against more public accusations.

Some key figures at the meeting included PDP Zonal Ex-officio, Mrs Lanre Fajuyi; PDP Senatorial Chairman, Kayode Yusuf; State Ex-officio, Alhaji Raheem Adeparusi; and Mrs Ajoke Awojugbe, along with ward chairmen and executive members.

In response, Sunshine Anifowose spoke for the stakeholders. He urged the local government leaders to avoid involving Oluyede in this argument. He said the call for accountability was from concerned party members and not the governorship candidate.

Anifowose stated, “I am ready to present the transactions showing the money that came from Dr Oluyede to Ogunsakin throughout the campaign.

“If Ogunsakin claims that he spent his personal money on the election, let him come out with the evidence. Let him produce the transaction records, transfer receipts, payment receipts, and evidence of any cash he personally collected or spent in connection with the campaign.

“If he claims he single-handedly financed the campaign in Ado-Ekiti, then let him tell us exactly how much he spent, where he spent it, and provide the transactions.